The Italian Bishops' Commission on Immigration has proposed a Lenten penitential act that includes 'fasting or Lenten processions, to repair the scandal and irreparable damage inflicted by Italian 'clients' on women, often foreign minors, subjected to the infamous trade for the purpose of prostitution'.
The Commission pointed out that the Holy Year 2000 calls for new forms of slavery to be addressed.
The Commission's document was approved by a congress held in Rome last week, with the participation of Bishops responsible for migrants, the CEI's Immigration Commission, and the CEI Migrants Foundation.
It said the Jubilee must rouse Christian communities to a severe examination of conscience on the issue of migrations.
The Bishops' noted "indifference toward the immigrants on the part of our Churches" and of cold and suspicious welcome, "summary judgments and prejudice, placing obstacles to the integration of immigrants, gypsies, and all those who are obliged to move for reasons of survival."
Zenit (available soon)
29/2/00